Sound resonating and amplifying device



June 30, 1931. c. A. voLF, JR 1,811,985v

SOUND'RESONATING AND AMPLIFYING DEVICE Filed Dec. l, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESS ATTORNEY June 30, 1931. C. A- VOI-F, JR 1,811,985

SOUND RESONATING AND AMPLIFYING DEVICE Filed Deo. l, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .HGH @i 9 l vENToR WITNESS J M4. Maf/ eef /BY/ ATTOR NEY Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHRISTIAN AFVOLF, JR., OF WEEHAWKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO MURRAY T. QUIGG, OF NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK SOUND RESONATING AND AMPLIFYING DEVICE Application filed December 1, 1928. Serial No. 323,019.

of the liquid and instead of being reflected therefrom, apparently roll along the surface of the liquid and then are deflected upwardly by the sloping walls of the container and l thereafter spread in all directions.

The sound waves are directedon to the surface 'of the liquid preferably from a plu- 4 :zo rality of resonating pipes which are pointed toward the surface of the liquid. The upper ends of the resonating pipes are supported in and have their upper ends Hush with a sounding board. The resonating pipes are of different sizes and lengths so as to amplify notes of different pitch.

The sound waves are generated by an electrdmagnetic device of any usual kind, the waves lirst passing into a smaller amplil fying cone supported on a baffle board and liquid container, may be housed in a housing` made of wall board or gypsum board or material of like nature.

The described apparatus is particularly adapted for use in auditoriums and halls where much resonance and amplification is necessary. rllhis apparatus gives the desired resonance and amplification without distortion of the sound waves. i0 With audtoriums and halls of different sizes and heights, a sound resonator and amplifier of different characteristics are needed. This invention provides a resonator and amplifier which can be adjusted to spread the sound waves different ways, according to the characteristics of the auditorium in which the device is used. This adjustment is obtained by varying the angle at which the side walls of the liquid container are placed.

While the inventive concept, as above outlined, may be carried out in a number of different ways, a preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be under-stood that the structure of the drawings is illustrative of one way in which the invention can be carried out.

In these drawings: Fig. 1 is a side view on a small scale of the sound resonating and amplifying fixture.

Fig. 2 is a section on a larger scale taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sections, somewhat enlarged, taken on the lines 3-3 and 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig 5 is a detail of one of the resonating pipes.

gig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2. an

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of Fi 2.

Referring now to these drawings, in w ich similar reference characters indicate similar parts, the device comprises a plurality of supporting pipes or standards 5, a top member 6 and side walls 7. The top wall 6 is supported by angle irons 6'; the side walls 7 fit in between the jaws 8 of bifurcated members 9, secured at suitable points to the supporting pipes 5. The wall elements 6 and are 'pre erably made out of material such as wall board or gypsum board, of the type that is commonly known as beaver board.-

Supported ony angle irons 10, is a bale board l1 having a central opening 12. Cooperating with this opening 12 is an electromagnetic sound generating device 13, the details of which are not involved in this invention. This sound generating device has a sound amplifying cone 14 secured to the bame board over the opening 12. Connected to the lower side of the opening 12 is a cone 10 15 of some such material as silk which is designed to guide and confine the sound waves and direct them on to the upper surface of a laminated sounding board 16, made preferably of wood. The sounding board 16 is supported on angle irons carried by the frame members 5. Mounted in the sounding board is a plurality of vertical resonating pipes 17, the upper ends of which are substantially flush with the top of the sounding board. The pipes are secured to pins 18 which pass into small blocks 19 which are set into suitable recesses shown in the sounding board. The pipes 17 have different sound reson ating characteristics so that different pipes will respond to and resonate notes of different pitch. The

pipes should have a vibration rate extending over at least one octave.

Referring to Fig. 2` it will be seen that the side Walls 7 extend from the top of the apparatus substantially down to the lower ends of the resonating pipes.

In order to obtain resonance of the sound waves without distortion, there is a curtain of silk or the like 20, surrounding the resonating pipes, the upper end of the silken curtain being attached to the sounding board, while the lower end is substantially flush with the lower end of the side walls.

The sound waves pass vertically downwardly out of the resonating pipes and are projected directly on to the surface of a body of liquid 21 which is in a container 22, supported on the lower ends of the pipes 5 by a detachable threaded connection, such as the plug 23. so that different types of liquid containers may be mounted at the lower ends of the supporting standards. The liquid container has walls 24.- which slope inwardly and downwardly. These walls may be variably positioned with respect to the vertical and to this end the bottom of the container is provided with a plurality of positioning lugs 25. In order to vary the angle of these walls, the Walls are simply placed in front of the appropriate lug 25.

In operation the sound waves coming out of the small cone 14- are directed smoothly and guided by the silken cone 15 to the sounding board 16, thence passing through the resonating pipes and being projected on to the surface of the liquid. The side walls 7 of gypsum board and the silken curtain 20 prevent the Vibration of the frame work of the device. The sound waves hit the surface of the water and instead of being reliected, apparently roll along the surface of the water and are then deflected by the sloping walls 24 upwardly and outwardly in all directions. The extent and the manner of the amplilication and spreading of the waves is influenced very considerably by the angle at which the side walls are placed.

The liquid used mav be water and it may bc covered with a film of glycerine or oil to prevent evaporation.

Wall board or gypsum board or material of like characteristics is used for the housing elements 6 and 7 because it has sound insulating properties and so does not respond to vibrations.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the .described details but that it may be carried out in other ways as defined within the scope of the claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sound amplifying device comprising in combination a relatively shallow container for a liquid, having a side wall sloping inwardly and downwardly, independently mounted sound generating means for direct ing sound waves downwardly therefrom onto the surface of the liquid, whereby the sound waves move along the surface of the liquid and then over the sides of the liquid container.

2. A sound amplifying device comprising in combination a relatively shallow container for a liquid, having side walls sloping inwardly and downwardly, means for variably positioning said side walls, and sound generating means for directing sound waves onto the surface of the liquid, whereby the sound waves move along the surface of the liquid and then over the sides of the liquid container.

3. A sound amplifying device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, sound generating means mounted above the liquid container, sound amplifying means directly below the sound generating means for directing sound waves from the generating means substantially vertically downwardly onto the surface of the liquid, the sound waves, after striking the liquid surface, rolling over said surface and thence outwardly in all directions.

4. A sound amplifying device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid having side walls which may be positioned at various angles to the vertical, and sound generating means mounted above the liquid container, for directing sound waves downwardly onto the surface of the liquid, the sound Waves, after striking the liquid surface, rolling over said surface and thence outwardly in all directions.

5. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, and sound generating means above .the resonating pipes, the sound waves from the sound generating means first' passing through the resonating pipes and then being projected by them onto the surface of the liquid.

6. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, the container having side walls which slope downwardly and inwardly, resonating pipes above the liquid container, and sound generating means above the resonating pipes, the sound waves from the sound generating means iirst passing through the resonating pipes and then bein projected by them onto the surface of the iquid.

7. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, a sounding board for supporting the resonating pipes, and sound generating means above the resonating pipes, the sound waves from the sound generating means first passing through the resonating pipes and then being projected by them onto the sur,-y face of the liquid.

8. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, sound generating means above the resonating pipes, and casing means having the characteristics of Wall-board surrounding certain of said parts, the sound waves from the sound generating means first passing through the resonating pi es and then being projected by them onto t e surfaceof the liquid.

9. A sound resonating device comprising lin combination an open-topped container for a liquid, the container having side walls which slope downwardly and inwardly, resonating pipes above the liquid container, a sounding board for supporting the resonating pipes, sound generating means above the resonating pipes, and casing means having the characteristics of wall-board surrounding certain of said parts, the sound waves from the sound generating means first passing through the resonating pipes and then being prcffjected by them onto the surface of the liqu1 y 10. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipesvabove the 1i uid container, the pipes being of different pitch and directed directly toward the open-topped container, and sound generating means above the resonatingpipes, the sound waves from the sound generating means first passing through the resonating pipes and then being projected by them onto the surface of the liquid.

11. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, a screen having the characteristics of silk, extending around the resonating pipes, and sound generating means above the resonating pipes, the sound waves from the sound generating means first passing through the resonating pipes and then being projected by them onto the surface of the liquid.

12. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, sound generating means above the resonating pipes, and .asubstantially coneshaped member arranged between the sound generating means and the upper ends of theresonating pipes, the sound waves from thel sound generating means first passing through the resonating pipes and then being projected by them onto the surface of the liquid.

13. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, sound generating means above the resonating-pipes, and a substantially coneshaped member having the characteristics of silk, arranged between the sound generating means and the upper ends of the resonating pipes, the sound waves from the sound generating means first passing through the resonating pipes and then being projected by them onto the surface of the liquid.

14. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a sounding board, a lurality of resonating pipes passing through t e board and supported by it, and sound generating means positioned a substantial distance away from the resonating pipes and substantially in line therewith for directing sound waves directly into said pipes.

15. A sound resonating device comprisin in combination a laminated sounding boar a plurality of resonating pipes having their ends passing through the sounding board and terminating substantially coextensive therewith, and sound generating means located a substantial distance above the sounding board and substantially in line with the pipes for directing sound waves directly into the sounding-board-ends of the pipes.

16. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a sounding board, a plurality of resonating pipes of different pitch passing through the board and supported by it, and sound generati means ositioned a substantial distancenirectly a ove and in line with the pipes for directing sound waves directly into the upper ends of said pipes.

17. A sound resonating' device comprising in combination a laminated sounding board, a plurality of selective resonating pipes differing in pitch, having their ends passing through the sounding board and terminating substantially coextensive therewith, and sound generating means sitioned directly above said pipes and su stantially in line therewith for directing sound waves directly into the 'sounding-board-ends of the pipes.

18. A sound resonating device comprisin in combination a laminated sounding boar a plurality of resonating pipes having their ends passing through the sounding board and terminatin substantially coextensive therewith, soun enerating means for directing sound waves into theV sounding-board-ends of the pipes, and a substantially cone-shaped member for carrying the sound waves from the sound generating means to said pipes.

19. A sound resonating device comprisin in combination a laminated sounding boar a. plurality of resonating pipes having their ends passing through the sounding board and terminating substantially coeXtensive therewith, sound generating means for directing sound waves into the sounding-board-ends of the pipes,.and a casing having the characteristics of wall-board surrounding said parts. 20. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a sounding board, a plurality of resonating pipes passing through the board and supported b it, sound generating means ositioned a su stantial distance directly a ove the sounding board and substantially in line with the pipes for directing sound waves downwardly directly into said resonating ipes, and a screen, aving the characteristics of silk, surrounding the resonating pipes. i

21. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a plurality of supporting standards, an open-topped liquid container carried at the lower ends of the standards, resonating pipes supported by the standards above the liquid container, and sound generating means above the upper ends of the resonating pipes.

22. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a plurality of supporting standards, an open-topped liquid container carried at the lower ends of the standards,

resonating pipes supported by the standards above the liquid container, sound generating means above the upper ends of the resonating pipes, and housing elements having the characteristics of wall-board, carried by the standards, and forming a housing around certain of said parts.

23. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a plurality of supporting standards, an open-topped liquid container carried at the lower ends of the standards, resonating pipes, a sounding board in which the resonating ipes are mounted, supported by the standards above the li uid container, and sound generating means a ove the upper ends of the resonatingpipes.

24. A sound ampliing device comprising in combination a aile board, a sound generator comprising an amplifying cone, the cone being secured to the baille board, and an amplifying cone on the other side of the baiiie board, in registry with the first cone.

25. A sound amplifying device comprising in combination a bale board, a sound generator comprising an amplifying cone, the cone being secured to the baiiie board, and an amplifying cone having the characteristics of silk, on the other side of the baille board, in registry with the rst cone.

26. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means suspended within the casing, a plurality of open-ended resonating pipes carried by the pipe carrying means, and sound reproducing means above the pipes for directinnr sound waves downwardly into the open ends of the pipes.

27. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means suspended within the casing, a plurality of open-ended resonating pipes carried bythe pipe carrying means, sound reproducing means above the pipes for directing sound waves downwardly into the open endsof the pipes, and means positioned below the lower ends of the pipes for s reading the downwardly-travelling soun waves emanating from the lower ends of the pipes.

28. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means suspendedwithin the casing, a pluralit of open-ended resonating pipes carried y the pipe carrying means, sound reproducing means above the pipes for directing sound waves downwardly into the open ends of the pipes, and an open-topped liquid container positioned below the lower ends of the pipes for spreading the sound Waves projected thereon from the pipes.

29. A sound resonating device comprising iii combination a casing; a baille board and pipe carrying means positioned within the casing; open-ended pipes carried by the pipe carrying means; and sound generating means carried by the baille board, for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes.

30. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing; a baffle board and pipe carrying means positioned within the casing; open-ended pi es carried by the pipe carrying means soun generating means carried by the baiile board, for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes, and means positioned below the lower end of the pipes for spreading the sound waves emanating from the lower ends of the pipes.

31. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing; a baille board and pipe carrying means positioned within the casing; open-ended pipes carried by the pipe carrying means; sound generating means carried by the baiile board, for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes, and an open-topped liquid container positioned below the lower ends of the pipes for spreading the sound waves projected thereon from the pipes.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

CHRISTIAN A. VOLF, J R. 

